SJC Sanctions Fees to Appeal Parking Tickets
September 12, 2011 by Aladdin · 92 Comments
Vincent Gillespie and Edward Hamel were both issued parking citations in Northamption, MS, back in 2005. Upon losing their initial appeals, they were shocked to find out that it would cost them $275 each to file an additional appeal. Together, they filed a lawsuit opposing the fee, claiming it to be “so costly that it effectively denied access to the courts.” They also argued that local parking clerks could not be objective since parking fines raise revenue for their municipalities. However, the law was upheld in an unanimous decision from the Supreme Judicial Court. According to Justice Robert Cording ruling, “the law does not violate access to the courts, give that a waiver is available for the indigent, and that the fees help reduce frivolous appeals in an already overburdened judicial system.”
Congress Turns Sour On Red Light Cameras
July 1, 2010 by Aladdin · 2 Comments
The House Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, of the United States Congress, met Wednesday to discuss the use of photo-enforcement throughout the country. They invited five representatives from advocacy groups who support the use of automated ticketing. However, much of the hearing revolved around the opposition, focusing on the safety benefits (or lack there of) and public resentment for the devices. “We started realizing that there was a questionable effect on safety. Accident rates have increased at several key intersections in the state,” Georgia State Representative Barry Loudermilk said. “As a result, we passed House Bill 77…requiring an additional second to be added to the yellow time at any intersection that operates photo enforcement,” he added. (As a result of the yellow light’s extra second, violations dropped by 81%.) Subcommittee Chairman Peter DeFazio, voiced his disappointment with American Traffic Solutions and Redflex, for not appearing at the hearing despite being invited.) “We did invite vendors and they refused. I find it disturbing that none of them wanted to come and talk about what a great thing they’re doing for America here,” he stated.
